Seaton K.
Yelp
I went on a coffee-run mid-shoot recently. We were filming some scenes in Surry Hills, it was early and it was hard to focus without adequate caffeine in our blood, so I, being an accomplished (by my own standards) caterer, took on that mission. Mission: Get Coffee for zombified crew.
I got a list of what everyone wanted and endeavoured to get some tarts as well, I was feeling a little frisky and knew of a hangout where tarts often go to. I jest, not that kind of tart, but more pastries and such.
Anyway, I got the order from some of the girls that I had to go to Bourke Street Bakery and get them a chocolate tart each. It wasn't the closest establishment but I got the feeling that if I didn't comply I'd be down two allies on this film shoot.
So off I went to Bourke Street Bakery, a bakery best known for seemingly having a constant line of people stretching halfway to Paddington. I have seldom gone there and not been confronted with scores of people all desperate to eat some bread and sup on a hot frothy beverage.
I got to the front of the line and I made my order, Rhubarb pastry's, Macadamia scrolls, chocolate tarts, and of course the coffee. Now, being the producer on this film, I had a vigilant eye on the budget and these tarts were between $4 and $4.50 each and I was a bit worried. We'd had costumes made, props bought, equipment hired and severed hands moulded, but was the budget really going to be blown on pastries?
I bought the food hesitantly, wondering how they managed to attract so many people day in, day out. Why the girls were adamant that we buy these tarts and not the ones at the cafe on the corner, and I hightailed it back to the set.
Once returned, coffees bestowed, I took one bite of that Macadamia Scroll and I realised why. My taste buds may or may not have had an out of body experience. My tongue watching me eat in an astrally projected form above my head.
The line, the prices; all worth it. There is a reason that people go to Bourke Street Bakery. And if you're on your bike it's conveniently located on the corner of, as the name suggests, Bourke Street, a road with the best and longest cycleway in Sydney. Go there.